Worth the risk

I am considering going back to school to become a Physician's Assistant. Right now, I am sitting on about $22,000 in debt(mostly student loans). I am thinking about the army reserves (68W) to help pay off the student loan debt, take prerequisite courses and to get some healthcare experience. I have always wanted to join but could never could commit to the idea and now that I have a family to worry about. Is it worth the risk for the benefits if there is a possibility of being deployed and leaving my family without a husband and father?

At the end of the day, its a personal decision.... if you are joining up to purely pay of your debt and nothing else, Its hard in my mind to see how you will make it through training, never mind a deployment... Commitment is a 150% requirement for a successful Army Soldier in any discipline.... If you cant pull the trigger now, could you with training?... or are your values so ingrained you would rather let yourself or your fellow soldiers come to harm by not pulling that trigger?... you need to ponder these deep seated issues and come to terms with the outcome, if you can, then you can truly commit, if not, then you need to go civi street and pay off your loans that way... 22k will take a few years, but its not that big of a deal.. get good at work, learn to manage your money and exercise good financial discipline, which by the way is also advisable as an Army Soldier.....

I appreciate you wanna join but since you have raised these issues, don't leave them be until you resolve yourself balls to bone on what you are prepared to do to protect your fellow soldiers and achieve your mission as a United States Soldier... does this mean you will be dropping bad guys a week after training... probably not, but you need to be at peace with the concept and if called upon to do so, then you do so.... the lives of your fellow soldiers depend on your commitment to unit and country, but more importantly then that your commitment to each other... and on a rare occasion that might mean you put a bullet in some shit-bird trying to kill your brother...

Anyhoo, hope those thoughts help... remember the vast majority of US Soldiers make it home safely to their families... and hundreds of thousands of serving men and women have families also... if your wife is on board, then all that is left if you own inner conflicts to the profession of Army Soldier.. resolve them, and your way forward is clear..

Good luck in your quest bud, and let us know if you have any questions...

Exo

Tenants of Bushido;

‘We should never obsess about if we are going to die, but instead focus on how we live as those whom live an honorable life will always die a glorious death.’

"Pulling the trigger" is expression meaning I have trouble committing myself to the decision, not shooting a gun. I have no quams with doing what needs to be done to complete the mission and look after my fellow soldiers. In fact, Camaraderie and brotherhood is one of the aspect that appeals to me about the army.

"Pulling the trigger" is expression meaning I have trouble committing myself to the decision, not shooting a gun. I have no quams with doing what needs to be done to complete the mission and look after my fellow soldiers. In fact, Camaraderie and brotherhood is one of the aspect that appeals to me about the army.

Ah... fair enough then.... I took you literally... so less to think about then... best of luck in your decision... Rereading your post, it seems like you have a standard question, what if?... works both ways bud.. what of my family if I get killed?... (low probability).... and what if I dont go for it? (high probability)... just something to consider...

Exo...

Tenants of Bushido;

‘We should never obsess about if we are going to die, but instead focus on how we live as those whom live an honorable life will always die a glorious death.’

You should be careful of the expressions that you write on an Army forum.

Anyway, you are interested in the Reserves unlike the active component. You chances are deploying are not as great as us and possibly your deployment ratio will be 1 year deployed to 5 years at home during your 8 year contract enlistment.

I have deployed twice for a total of 2 years and my family managed and had an awesome support system with the FRG. If your spouse is relunctant to your decision; then you should reconsider. Both of you should be on the same sheet of music.

Like the others have said, it's something you need to discuss with your wife and make sure you are both on board 100%. It's not an easy lifestyle and separation can suck. Like Chief Q mentioned, if you go the Reserve route your deployability ration isn't going to be as bad as the Active Duty side of the house. My husband and I were dual military for many years and spent a lot of time apart having one of us deployed at any given time. When I got out, the pace didn't change much. He has deployed multiple times and my kids and I are fine. If anything it has made our marriage stronger. Don't think though that it's easy, anything worth having requires effort.

ArmyGirl4Ever
Proud US Army Veteran 1993-2004“The Soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” ~ Douglas MacArthur

I wish to rectify my original post. I demostrated poor judgement with my word selection and content. There is no greater scarfice that to die for one's country. I have been interested in serving for a while. I wanted to enlist in the military after high school but my parents made me promise to finish college first. I was involved in AROTC during college but was disqualified on account of my exotropia. I have been taking physical therapy but the progress as been slow. This last Memorial day brought feelings of hope that I could serve and give back to my country which has provided so much to me. However, this desicion isn't mine alone anymore. I have a wife and a child now. There has been some great advice on this post and I have talked to my wife about this desicion. She has agreed that if it is my desire she will support me. However, she will only give her full support if it be in the Navy. She has a good friend that is serving in that branch right now and she feels that it would be a good fit for our family. I am planning to talk to a recruiter for the Navy shortly. I just hope that I have made enough progress with my exotropia to at least qualify for a wavier. Thank you again for the support and advice